Label imprinter



May 7 1957 A. o. SOHN 2, 75

LABEL IMPRINTER Y NVE 944151 0. SOHA/ United States Patent LABEL IMPRINTER Allen 0. Sohn, Plymouth, Wis.

Application December 2, 1955, Serial No. 550,688

9 Claims. (Cl. 101-228) This invention relates to an imprinter for labels supplied in spaced series on a continuous backing web.

Where it is desired either to initially print such labels or to overprint previously printed labels, it is necessary to time or otherwise correlate the imprinting roll with respect to the individual labels in order that the printing matter will be correspondingly positioned on each label.

In my device the feed roller desirably has a greater circumference than the length of any conventional label so that the machine will accommodate all such labels. Shorter labels will be accommodated in the machine by reason of my novel mechanism by which the feed of the label strip has intermittent dwell and in which the label strip is intermittently advanced in time with the rotation of the imprinting roll.

Because of this structure, the device of my invention prints perfectly on each label, regardless of label size. Accordingly, timing adjustments are not required between operations of the device on successive rolls of labels of differing label length.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from an examination of the following disclosure.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical cross section taken through a machine embodying my invention and more particularly along the line 1-..-1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a machine embodying my in vention.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of my machine taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view showing one embodiment of my feed roll mechanism.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are greatly enlarged fragmentary diagrammatic views illustrating various steps in the operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view showing a modified embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the device shown in Fig. 8. i

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, pre-printed labels are conventionally supplied on rolls 13 of strip form comprising a continuous backing web 14 of waxed paper or the like to which longitudinal spaced labels 15 releasably adhere by reason of their pressure sensitive adhesive undercoating. For purposes of exemplification, the imprinter herein disclosed is adapted for use in a supermarket or other retail store. The labels in the roll 13 may be completely pro-printed except for certain information desirably added thereto at the retail level, such as unit weight, price or such caution notices as Keep Refrigerated, etc. Other information may be lacking which the Storekeeper may wish to add to the label by overprinting. For all such purposes, of course, the added printed matter must be positioned on the pre-printed 2,794,175 Patented May 7, 1957 label so as not to interfere with the prior printing. In the disclosed device the type is so related to the space between labels and the feed of the label strip so regulated that the additional matter is imprinted at corresponding portions of each label as the strip is fed through the machine. It is also possible to use the imprinting machine to print initially on blank labels supplied in roll form, or to block out certain printed matter.

The machim? comprises side frame plates 16, 17 which support the printing rollers, etc. The side frame plates 16, 17 are spanned by a horizontal shelf 18 having its top surface aligned with the junction between dual feed rolls 19 and platen roll 20. The shaft 23 on which platen roll 20 is mounted has a fixed bearing in suitable bearing apertures 24, 25 of the respective plates 16, 17. The shaft 26 of feed rolls 19 also carries an intermediate imprinting roll 27.

Shaft 26 is supported at its ends in adjustable bearing blocks 28,29 which are vertically adjustable in bearing block guideways 32, 33 formed in the respective side plates 16, 17. The blocks 28, 29 are biased downwardly by the leaf springs 34 which span the otherwise open upper ends of guideways 32, 33 and have their ends secured to the top edges of the plates 16, 17 by bolts 35. Downward thrust is transmitted to the bearing blocks 28, 29 by adjustable bolts 37 threaded to the centers of springs 34.

Shaft 26 is provided with enlarged shaft portions 38 bearing near both ends of the shaft on roller bearings 39 supported on arms 78 as hereinafter described.

Both shafts 23, 26 are concurrently driven by a constantly turning motor 43 having its armature shaft 44 connected to a pinion 45 which meshes with a gear 46 on cross-over shaft 47. Cross-over shaft 47 has a pinion 48 meshing with gear 49 on one end of shaft 23, gear 49 in turn meshing with gear 50 on one end of shaft 26. Accordingly, when the motor 43 is operating both shafts 23, 26 are driven, but in opposite directions to cause feed of the strip 14 therebetween in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1.

Label roll 13 is mounted between side disks 54 on a shaft 55 removably mounted on bracket arms 56 which extend rearwardly from the side frame plates 16, 17. Forwardly projecting from the machine side frame plates are bracket arms 57 which removably support the shaft 58 of take-up roll 59 disposed between side disks 62. Shaft 55 idles to feed strip material at any rate required by the machine. Take-up shaft 58 on the take-up roll is driven from pulley 63 about which the coil spring belt 64 is trained, the belt receiving power from the pulley 65 mounted on the end of shaft 26. The coil spring belt 64 is conventional and will slip when shaft 58 is not free to turn. Accordingly, take-up roll 59 is impositively driven.

Above the level of shelf 18 I provide an ink Well 66 having a vertically elongated slot 67 through which mounting rod 68 extends. Accordingly, the well is free for limited vertical movement with respect to the shelf 18. I also provide means for biasing the ink well toward shelf 18. This means includes cross rod 71 about which a coil spring 72 is wound to impose the downward pressure of its free end on arm 73 which rests on the upper surface of the ink well 66. Accordingly, the pressure of the ink well on surface 18 imposes drag on the strip 14 in the course of its movement over the shelf 18 and beneath the ink well.

The ink well 66 is also provided with an ink reservoir 74, an inking roll 75 and a doctor blade 76. Feed roll surfaces 19 have the same circumference as the platen roll 20. Accordingly, the feed roll surfaces and platen surface will rotate at the same speed to uniformly feed the strip 14 therebetween.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 5 through 7, the longitudinal spacing of the labels 15 on the backing web 14 provides gaps 77 between labels. Accordingly, the strip material is relatively thick in the area of the labels and relatively thin in the area of the gaps. The timing of my machine is predicated on my apparatus which causes the strip to dwell when the gaps are between the feed and platen rolls. The spacing of shafts 23, 26 is so adjusted that the feed roll surfaces '19 and platen roll surfaces 20 will engage the strip material for feed thereof so long as the combined thickness of a label 15 and underlying backing web 14 is betweenthe respective rolls. However, when a gap 77 intervenes. between the rolls the spacing thereof is greater than' the web thickness and the rolls lose engagement with thestrip material and the strip will dwell. i Y

For purposes of making'thisadjustment the bearing rollers 39' are mounted on arms 78ffulcrurricd onthe pins 40. The'vertical position pf the free ends of the arms is adjusted by means of set screws 79 which are threaded in the arms 78 and bear agaipst the upper surface of shelf 18. In this'manner the roller bearings 39 maybe vertically adjusted for proper spacing of the rolls 19 and20t To time the advance of the strip in step with the rotation of the type 82, I provide means to advance the strip 14 forwardly from its position shown in Fig. 5 at such time as the type 82 assumes a'predetermined distance along the arc of feed roll 19from the leading margin 83 of the label next in line for imprinting. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through 7, I achieve this timed relation by providing shaft portions 38 with a flat or like surface 84 of les radius than the remaining peripheral portions of the shaft. The difference between fiat radius and the radius of shaft portions 33 is desirably about equal to the thickness of a label 15. The flat 84 is provided at portions of the shaft 38which concurrently engage the roller bearings39,

The printing roller 27 is desirably rotatably adjustable on shaft 38 by means of set screw 36 so that the arcuate spacing between the type 82 and the flat 84 can be pre-set at such a distance that the imprinted matter will appear on the label at a predetermined spacing from its margin 83. In the course of shaft rotation in the Fig. 5 position of the parts in which the strip dwells, flat 84 will ultimately engage the roller bearings 39, thus permitting the springs 34 to urge the shaft 38 downwardly and cause the spacing between the rolls 19 and to narrow to a spacing less than the combined width of the label 15 and backing web 14, as shown in Fig. 6'. In the case of a relatively narrow gap 77, as illustrated, the leading margin 83of the label next in line for printing and the trailing margin 85 of the previously printed label 15 will then be clamped between the respective rolls and feed of the strip 14 through the machine willbe resumed. In the case of a gap 77 which is wider than illustrated, the roll 19 may drop far enough to engage the backing strip 14. When the leading margin 83 of label 15 reaches a position beyond the junction of the rolls 19, 20, as illustrated in Fig. 7, shaft 38 will have rotated to a position beyond which flat 84 engages roller bearing 39. Accordingly, the initial spacing between rolls 19, 20 is restored as the full radius of shaft 38 laterally shifts the rolls 19 against the pressure of springs 34. The combined thickness of label 15 and backing web 14 now intervenes between the rollers for positive feed thereof until the next gap 77 comes between the rolls, whereupon the strip again will dwell until the flats 84 engages the roller bearings 39. The friction drag of ink well 66 on the strip insures that the strip will stop feeding as soon as the gap 77 comes between the rolls 19, 20, thus precluding overrunof the strip. For this pur pose, the friction drag aforesaid is adjusted to exceed the tension of slip belt 64. In the course of advance of the label 15 the type 82 wil appropriately print the indicia, illustrated by the legend 86 shown in Fig. 2, at a predetermined fixed distance on the label from its leading margin 83.

From the foregoing it is clear that the longitudinal exfor imprinting.

tent of the respective labels 15 is immaterial to the timing of the machine as the strip will dwell in its Fig. 5 position until the type 82 has rotated to a predetermined spacing from the leading margin 83 of the label next in line It is only then that feed of the strip is resumed to insure proper positioning of the imprinted material on the label. This will be true of all labels having a length less than the circumference of the feed roll 19. r

in Figs. 8 through 10 I show a modified embodiment of the device in which the shaft 38 is of uniform radius so that in normal operation the spacing between the feed roll 81 and the platen roll 20 remains unchanged. However, feed roll 81 .is provided with a transverse rib 87. The arcuate displacement between type 82 and rib 87 is adjustable as aforesaid. Accordingly, when rib 87 approaches the leading margin 83 of a label 15 as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 9, the strip will be engaged between the rib,87 and the platen roll 20 to advance the strip into a position where the remaining peripheral portions of the feed roll1.81 clamp the label. against the platen roll 20. In this embodiment of the invention the timing is substantially the same as previously described.

From the foregoing it is clear that the imprinting device will add printing to corresponding areas of strip material having alternate thick and thin portions, the thin portion dwelling between the feed rolls and the position of the imprinted material being timed with respect to the rotation of the feed roll and the leading margin of the thickpo'rtion next in line for imprinting.

I. In adevice for feeding strip material having a longitudinally spaced series of relatively thick portions and intervening relatively thin portions, in combination with means for imprinting on the corresponding portions of the thicker portions, a platen, a roll having type and feed surfaces thereon, said feed roll surface having a circumference greater than the longitudinal extent of the respective thick portions andmeans supporting said roll and platen for passage of said strip therebetween, said roll and platen being spaced for driving engagement of said feed roll surface. with .the thick strip portions and disengagement from said thin portions whereby the strip will advance when the said thick portions are between the feed roll surface and platen and will dwell when the said thin portions are between the feed roll surface and platen, and means to advance. said strip to a position where a 'thick portion comes between the feed roll surface and .platen for renewed feed of said strip when said type is at a predetermined spacing from the margin of a thick portion next following the thin portion between the roll and platens, whereby the type correspondingly imprints the respective thick portions.notwithstanding the discrepancy between the circumference of the feed roll surface and the longitudinal extent of said thick portions.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said advancing means comprises a rib on said feed roll surface.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the support means for the feedroll surface comprises a shaft and shaft hearing, said strip advancing means comprising means on said shaft coacting with said bearing to displace the axis of shaft rotation laterally toward said platen to narrow the spacing between the feed 1011 surface and platen and cause the feed roll surface to engage said strip and feed said strip far enough to bring a thick portion there of between the feed rod surface and platen for further advance of said strip by reason of said engagement.

4. The device of claim 3 in which said shaft is provided with means biasing it'for'movement toward said platen except as restrained -by.said bearing, said shaft being provided with a peripheral portion of less radius than the remainder of the shaft whereupon registry of said portion with said bearing will permit said movement of the shaft toward the platen. I

5.- YA device for imprinting labels mutually longitudinally spaced on a backing web, said device comprising a platen, a roll having type and feed surfaces thereon, said feed roll surfaces having a circumference greater than the length of a label, means for supporting said feed roll surface and platen with the strip therebetween and at a spacing whereby the feed roll surface will feed the strip so long as the combined thickness of the web and a label are between the roll surface and platen, said feed being interrupted when a portion of said web between labels comes between said roll surface and platen, and means to advance said strip to a position where a label comes between the feed roll surface and platen for renewed feed of said strip when said type is at a predetermined distance from a margin of the label next following the web portion between the roll surface and platen, whereby the type correspondingly imprints the respective labels notwithstanding the discrepancy between the circumference of the feed roll surface and the length of the labels.

6. The device of claim 5 in combination with means to impose drag on said strip to stop its movement between the rolls as soon as said feed roll surface loses contact with a label.

7. The device of claim 5 in which said advancing means comprises a rib on said feed roll surface.

8. The device of claim 5 in which the support means for the feed roll surface comprises a shaft and shaft bearing, said strip advancing means comprising means on said shaft coacting with said bearing to displace the axis of shaft rotation laterally toward said platen to narrow the spacing between the feed roll surface and platen and cause the feed roll surface to engage said strip and feed said strip far enough to bring a thick portion thereof between the feed rod surface and platen for further advance of said strip by reason of said engagement.

9. The device of claim 5 in which said shaft is provided with means biasing it for movement toward said platen except as restrained by said bearing, said shaft be ing provided with a peripheral portion of less radius than the remainder of the shaft whereupon registry of said portion with said bearing will permit said movement of the shaft toward the platen.

No references cited. 

